In recent years, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has shifted, with heterosexual communities experiencing a rise in new diagnoses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 22% of the 30,635 new HIV diagnoses in 2020 were among heterosexual individuals, and the United Kingdom has also reported that new HIV cases among heterosexuals have surpassed those among gay and bisexual populations for the first time in a decade.
Despite this alarming trend, marketing efforts for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the number one form of HIV prevention, have traditionally been targeted towards men who have sex with men. This has left an open gap in messaging for heterosexual communities, who are in dire need of accurate information about PrEP and its potential to protect them from HIV.
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Perceptions that HIV is a “gay disease” have played a significant role in the struggle to broaden the message for HIV care, and this stigma has unfortunately kept many straight and cisgender individuals from accessing PrEP at the rates they should. According to Dr. Monica Gandhi, MPH, “The CDC estimates that 1.2 million people require pre-exposure prophylaxis in the US, but fewer than 25% are taking it.”
It is clear that the efforts to reach heterosexual communities with accurate information about PrEP must be redoubled. Younger generations may be more open-minded to this medication than older generations, but education remains a primary issue. Clinicians, in particular, need more training and knowledge on this topic.
Fortunately, there are some positive developments that can help make PrEP more accessible to those in need. Advancements like tele-PrEP services and the new federal budget to cover PrEP for the underinsured or uninsured can make a significant difference. However, it is essential to remember that with nearly 1 in 7 people living with HIV unaware of their status, getting tested and considering PrEP can help protect not only yourself but also those around you.
